U.S. patent number 9,756,774 [Application Number 14/997,245] was granted by the patent office on 2017-09-12 for automatic in field variety identification.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ag Leader Technology, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Ag Leader Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to David Wilson.
United States Patent |
9,756,774 |
Wilson |
September 12, 2017 |
Automatic in field variety identification
Abstract
A system, method, and apparatus for automatically gathering
seed-specific data for an agricultural crop. Simulated seeds with
contactless machine-readable data are co-mingled with actual seeds.
Whether in stored form prior to planting, during planting, or after
planting with the actual seed in the ground, appropriate readers
can quickly and accurately read the seed-specific data for a
variety of purposes. That can include simply confirming that the
actual seed at least in proximity to a simulated seed is of a
particular hybrid or variety. It could also include other
seed-specific data such as time and date of planning, seed
production company, seed-specific usage restrictions, etc. The data
can be utilized by other systems. One example would be a precision
agricultural system.
Inventors: |
Wilson; David (Ames, IA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ag Leader Technology, Inc. |
Ames |
IA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ag Leader Technology, Inc.
(Ames, IA)
|
Family
ID: |
59758740 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/997,245 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
62103745 |
Jan 15, 2015 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01B
79/005 (20130101); A01C 21/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06K
19/06 (20060101); A01C 1/00 (20060101); G06K
7/10 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;235/492,487 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Davenport, Christopher J., et al., "Biodegradable Passive RFID Tag
for Subcutaneous Implant", Progress in Electromagnetics Research
Symposium Abstracts, Guangzhou, China, Aug. 25-28, 2014, p. 1657.
cited by applicant .
Duroc, Yvan, et al., "RFID Potential Impacts and Future Evolution
for Green Projects", Energy Procedia, vol. 18 (2012), pp. 91-98,
available online at www.sciencedirect.com. cited by applicant .
Alien ALH-9011 Handheld RFID Reader, Datasheet [online],
atlasRFIDstore, 2015 [retrieved on Jan. 15, 2015], Retrieved from
the Internet:
<URL:www.atlasrfidstore.com/alien-alh-9011-handheld-rfid-reader.html&g-
t;, 3 pages. cited by applicant .
Internet Website Screen Shots From HID Global Company of Austin, TX
(USA), 2015 [retrieved on Jan. 15, 2015], Retrieved from the
Internet:
<URL:www.hidglobal.com/products/rfid-tags/identification-technologies.-
html>, 2 pages. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Frech; Karl D
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McKee, Voorhees & Sease,
PLC
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application U.S.
Ser. No. 62/103,745 filed on Jan. 15, 2015, all of which is herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for automatic verification of information about
plantable or planted seeds comprising: a. a co-mingled mixture of:
i. actual plantable or planted seeds of a given plant hybrid or
variety; and ii. simulated seeds including contactless
machine-readable data specific to the actual plantable or planted
seeds of the given plant hybrid or variety; b. a reader configured
to automatically identify and data capture the machine-readable
data from any of the simulated seeds: i. for plantable seeds the
reader operatively mounted on one of: 1. a plantable seed
container; and 2. a planter; ii. for planted seeds the reader
operatively mounted on one of: 1. an agriculture implement or
motive force; and 2. a precision farming device; c. so that quick
and accurate verification of the seed-specific data can be
automatically obtained before the co-mingled mixture is planted,
during planting, or in the ground after planting.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the actual seeds are corn seeds
and the simulated seeds comprise a housing which simulates one or
more of an actual corn seed in: a. length, b. width, c. thickness,
d. weight; e. texture, f. form factor.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the actual seeds are soybean seeds
and the simulated seeds comprise a housing which simulates one or
more of an actual soybean seed in: a. length, b. width, c.
thickness, d. weight; e. texture, f. form factor.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the simulated seed comprises an
RFID tag having the contactless machine-readable data.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the RFID tag comprises: a. a
passive RFID tag; and b. a miniaturized form to fit in the
simulated seed.
6. The system of claim 4 wherein the machine-readable data
comprises one or more of: a. seed variety or hybrid identification;
b. RFID tag number; c. lot number; d. seeds/lb.; e. crop usage
restrictions; f. growing degree units; g. maturity; h. date/time
planted; i. herbicide traits; j. insecticide traits; k. disease
levels; l. refuse levels.
7. The system of claim 4 wherein the RFID tag is readable and
writable.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the reader is a RFID reader
having: a. read and/or write capabilities; b. a controllable
interrogation zone and range at least on the order of several
feet.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the reader includes one or more
of: a. connectability to one or more other devices; b. network
connectivity; c. a cloud connection; d. an enterprise management
capability; e. a precision farming intelligent controller; f. a
mobile device including a tablet or phone; and g. a local storage
including a device or card.
10. The system of claim 9 further comprising: a. the agricultural
implement or motive force on which the reader is mounted is movable
through a field; b. the precision farming device is in operative
communication with the reader; the reader is mounted to the planter
or a component on the planter such as a seed population sensor with
which the reader is integrated.
11. A method for verification of crop variety or hybrid type of
plantable or planted seed comprising: a. co-mingling a quantity of
an actual variety or hybrid type of seed and a quantity of
simulated seed carrying contactless machine-readable data specific
to the variety or hybrid type of seed; b. reading the contactless
machine-readable data at one or more times or locations between the
co-mingling and harvest during a growing season; c. so that variety
or hybrid type, or other data or attributes, can be automatically
verified at any of said one or more times or locations before the
co-mingled mixture is planted, during planting, or in the ground
after planting.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the co-mingling comprises a
pre-determined ratio of actual seed to simulated seed.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the ratio is based on one or
more of the following factors: a. cost of the simulated seed; b.
effect on yield of planted seeds; c. resolution of reading relative
to planted seeds in a field; and d. cost of electronic tags.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein for corn seed the ratio is on
the order of: a. 30 to 125 simulated seed per 80,000 actual corn
seed.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the mixture is packaged in a
container.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the container comprise a bag or
box.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein the reading is of the mixture
prior to planting.
18. The method of claim 11 wherein the reading is at filling a
planter at a planting time at a field or during a planting
operation.
19. The method of claim 11 wherein the reading is after the mixture
has been planted in a field and either prior to germination, after
germination but before emergence, or after emergence as a
plant.
20. The method of claim 11 wherein the reading is from planted seed
in the ground during harvest.
21. A method for in-field automatic identification of planted seed
or plants emerged from planted seed comprising: a. providing a
plantable mixture of a predetermined ratio of: i. actual seed of a
given hybrid or variety; ii. simulated seed carrying contactless
machine-readable data related to the actual seed; b. planting the
mixture in a field so that actual seed are distributed relative to
simulated seed at least roughly in spatial proportion to the ratio
of actual seed to simulated seed; c. automatically reading the
machine-readable data of at least one planted simulated seed in the
ground at a time between the planting and after harvesting plants
grown from the actual seed; d. correlating at least some of the
machine-read data from a simulated planted seed with planted actual
seed or plants grown from the planted actual seed within a
proximity of the machine-read simulated seed, the proximity being
related to the predetermined ratio of actual to simulated seed; e.
so that in-field automatic identification of planted seed or plants
therefrom can be derived.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the machine-readable data is
stored on an RFID tag associated with the simulated seed and the
reader is an RFID reader.
23. The method of claim 22 further comprising communicating the
automatic reading of machine-readable data from the reader to
another digital device.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the another digital device
comprises: a. a precision agricultural system; b. a computer; c. a
server; d. a mobile device including tablet or phone; or e. a cloud
connection.
25. The method of claim 24 further comprising using the
communicated automatic reading for at least one of: a. controlling
a field operation relative the planted seeds or plants therefrom;
b. making agronomic decisions about the planted seeds or plants
therefrom; c. making agronomic decisions for future plantings of
the field; and d. sharing the reading with other companies or
trusted advisors.
26. The method of claim 21 wherein transferring in virtually
real-time additional data to the machine-readable data during a
planting operation.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein the additional data comprises
one or more of: a. field identifier; b. planting date/time; c.
planting equipment identifier; d. ground speed e. climate
conditions; f. GPS position.
28. The method of claim 26 further comprising automatically
correlating and logging spatial information with the additional
information.
29. The method of claim 26 wherein the additional information
relates to attributes about the planted seed.
30. The method of claim 26 further comprising: a. sensing a
parameter related to a planter refilling; and b. automatically back
logging information about the planting between the time or place of
the planter refilling and the first read simulated seed after the
time or place of refilling.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to agricultural and, in particular, to
automatic identification of seed-specific information about
agricultural seeds, including prior to planting, during planting,
and after planting.
B. Problems in the Art
Precision agriculture continues to advance. Likewise does
utilization of more and more data regarding the entire process.
More information about each stage of agricultural production can be
beneficial to a variety of stakeholders, including the
farmer/producer. However, like any data collection and processing
system, accuracy is critical. One example is being able to identify
seed or plant variety or hybrid accurately and efficiently.
Advances in plant science, including plant breeding and genetic
modification, has led to an explosion of different varieties or
hybrids to meet different producer goals or environmental
conditions. The ability to accurately know and monitor specific
seed or plant hybrid or variety is important to not only knowing
what is going to be planted, but also what is planted in the
ground. Furthermore it is important to making future decisions
about the next growing season or seasons. However, as will be
demonstrated below, keeping track of seed- or plant-specific
information, even for sets of seed or plants, is not a trivial
endeavor.
For example, seed customers (e.g. farmers/producers) often forget
when they add more seed to a planter that it may be a different
hybrid than originally planted and, therefore, they can forget to
change the identification of the hybrid in, for example, a
precision agriculture system they are using. This causes the
farmers to log incorrect data and make poor management decisions
because of the incorrect hybrid being logged. For example, the
producer might choose variety X for next year's planting season
because it was believed to have yielded better, but it was really
variety Y that was planted.
Furthermore, even if the farmer remembers to change the hybrid
logging at seed switch-over during planting, there is always the
risk of human error in the entry of that information into the
system. Such potential errors can occur at other points in the
agricultural production cycle. Seed company representatives rely on
the farmer to tell them what hybrid was planted in which fields. If
such a trusted advisor is told it is seed X when it really is not,
this can cause confusion, unnecessary work, and poor management
decisions.
Another example is the step of recording of hybrid or variety type,
or other information about seed or a crop from the seed. Such
tracking and documentation can take many forms. It can range from
keeping the labels off of seed bags or other packaging, to
handwriting information into a notebook, to manual entry into the
computerized precision farming system. In all these cases risk of
human error exists.
A still further example is user overhead. Although a subtle burden,
manual entry of seed-specific data at even one point or stage of
agricultural production (e.g. when re-loading a planter) takes
valuable time. Cumulatively, over all planting for a season, it can
add up and impact productivity.
Therefore, there is a need for improvement in being able to
automatically identify seed or plant variety or hybrid type, and/or
other seed-specific information, that is accurate, efficient,
immediate, and practical, not only at the planting stage but at
other stages of production.
There are known ways to identify plant-specific information. Many
tend to be high technology ways to identify plant genotype. Some
examples are destructive in the sense they remove seed or plant
tissue and investigate it in a laboratory setting. This might be
reasonable for some limited research settings or for seed
production companies, but not for farmers. Sophisticated techniques
such as aerial-based spectrometry can be used to try to identify
plant genotype for plants growing in the field. But it is difficult
to have resolution down to row-by-row or plant-by-plant with such
techniques. They are complex, costly, and can only work for growing
plants and not seed.
There have been attempts to use Automated Identification and Data
Capture (AIDC) to allow machine-readable data to be associated with
seeds or plants. One example is bar codes. However, they require
unobstructed line-of-sight for the reader and maintenance of the
UPC graphics. It is sometimes difficult to accurately read bar
codes when the bar code or the reader is moving. All this makes it
difficult to use bar codes with seeds or agricultural production.
In particular, it represents limitations on the degree to which a
bar code can follow and be correlated to other than seed packages,
as opposed to seed throughout the production process from
packaging, to planting, to harvest.
The assignee of the present application has invented and patented a
technique of tracking harvested crops, including grain crops like
corn and soybeans. See U.S. Pat. No. 8,810,406 to inventor Sell and
owned by Ag Leader Technology, In., Ames, Iowa (USA), which is
incorporated by reference herein. Objects with RFID tags are added
to the harvested grain flow. The RFID tags are both readable and
writeable to add specific information about the grain as it is
harvested. Traceability of such grain is made possible by using
RFID scanners or readers to interrogate the grain with the inserted
RFID tagged objects, or a portion of it. This can be on-board the
harvester, in a wagon or hopper to transport the grain, or at a
storage facility. The user makes the assumption that harvested
grain in close proximity to the objects with RFID tags correlate to
the grain specific data written in the RFID tag. The objects with
the RFID tags can be manufactured to simulate the form factor and
other characteristics of the actual grain being harvested so that
they tend to stay dispersed and react to post-harvest processing in
a similar manner to the actual grain. See also, U.S. Pat. No.
7,162,328 to inventors Hornbaker et al. and assigned to the
University of Illinois, also incorporated by reference herein. It
also relates to tracking grain after harvest using RFID tagged
objects mixed into the harvested grain. In both these patents, a
bulk quantity of RFID tagged objects has to be carried on-board a
harvester and then metered into a bulk quantity of actual harvested
grain. Also, the systems require components to automatically remove
or filter out the RFID tagged objects at some point from the actual
grain.
Providing seed-specific data for seed to be planted presents a
different set of issues. Some of them are antagonistic to each
other. For example, seed for planting is usually produced by an
entity other than the farmer. It is typically bagged or packaged
prior to delivery. There can be significantly different information
about seed, not only its variety or hybrid but usage restrictions.
It must be removed from packaging and go through quite precise
handling at the planter. And it must then be placed in the ground,
outside of any packaging, implements, or containers so that it can
grow. These factors present a different set of competing factors to
keep correlation of actual seed to readable data about such seed
than handling of bulk harvested grain. Introduction of foreign or
non-seed into the process is contra-indicated.
Therefore, the inventor has identified room for improvement in this
technological area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A. Objects of the Invention
It is therefore principal object, feature, aspect, or advantage of
the present invention to provide a system, method, and apparatus
which improve over or solve problems and deficiencies in this
art.
Further objects, features, aspects, or advantages of the invention
include a system, method, or apparatus which: a. provides faster
and more resource-efficient acquisition of hybrid variety
identification of or other information about seeds or plants, prior
to planting, during planting, and while growing in the field,
including during other field operations up until the grain is
harvested; b. promotes reduction of human error in recording and
retrieving such identification or other information; c. is
practical and economical, including for agricultural producers; d.
integrates with sophisticated precision agricultural digital
systems or less sophisticated systems; e. can be implemented at
seed packaging in preparation for planting, during planting, and
also after the seeds have been planted in the field; f. provides
substantial flexibility to extend data beyond simply hybrid or
variety identification to other seed-specific information; g. can
be applied to a variety of seed types; h. can be utilized not only
in identification of seeds or plants but also in helping subsequent
agricultural processes or planning related to the seed or plants,
fields, or overall farmer production plans for the future.
These and other objects, features, aspects, advantages of the
invention will become more apparent with reference to the
accompanying specification and claims.
B. Aspects of the Invention
One aspect of the invention relates to co-mingling simulated seeds
carrying contactless machine-readable data about a hybrid or
variety with actual plantable seeds of that hybrid or variety. This
allows automatic identification of the hybrid or variety, or other
information about the seed, whether stored in a package
pre-planting, during the planting process, and even after the seeds
are planted in the ground and growing into plants. A relevant data
reader can pick up the data and either use it at the reader or
transmit it to other systems, including a precision farming system,
a remote computer or server, or to cloud-based storage for
subsequent retrieval and use. The proximity of the simulated,
data-carrying seeds to the actual seeds allows the correlation of
identity.
Another aspect of the invention comprises a system which includes
the co-mingled actual and simulated seeds in combination with an
automatic reader that can read hybrid or variety identification in
a contactless manner within a range of stand-off distances
determined by characteristics of the simulated seeds and the
reader, wherever those simulated seeds are. This includes in
packaging or storage, during planting, or once in the ground.
Another aspect of the invention is simulated seeds, as above
described, which are pre-programmed with specific data within their
data storage capacity. Such pre-programmed information can include
seed variety or hybrid type, or other seed-specific information
relative to a set or quantity of actual seed. It could also include
individual identification of each machine-readable simulated seed
such that, if needed or desired, individual resolution of
information on a simulated seed-by-seed basis could be made. Other
information, within the storage capacity of the simulated seed, is
possible.
Another aspect of the invention utilizes a machine-readable
simulated seed carrying data that can be read with a contactless
reader but also includes the ability to write data to the simulated
seed. This allows adding or updating data correlated to that
simulated seed at various, times, locations, or stages of
agricultural production cycle.
Another aspect of the invention comprises utilizing or integrating
a mixture of co-mingled actual seed and machine-readable simulated
seeds with other equipment in the agricultural production process.
One example is making the form factor of the simulated seed, and
its other characteristics, as analogous to the actual seed as
possible so that it will essentially be handled like actual seeds
by seed-handling equipment related to crop production. This allows
simulated seeds to progress through, for example, a planting
process without disruption of that planting process other than
taking a growing position in the field. The designer can
statistically select the ratio of number of simulated seeds to
actual seeds in the mixture of seeds to be planted to balance such
things as cost of simulated seeds and reduced yield from the
simulated seeds taking growing positions in the field, versus the
benefits of time-saving, accuracy, and/or amount of resolution of
readable information about the seeds once planted in a field.
Further aspects include utilizing readers at various locations in a
planter set-up. This gives flexibility as far as where and how the
automated reading occurs. Other equipment like sprayers,
cultivators, fertilizer applicators, and harvesters could include
at least one reader to assist in such things as verifying
identification of the seed or plants growing from the actual seed
when actions subsequent to planting occur. This can also allow
confirmation of correct or desired operations on the plants such as
correct herbicide, insecticide, or fertilizer for a given plant
hybrid or variety. It can include identifying harvested plant
variety or hybrid for record-keeping or future planning
purposes.
A further aspect of the invention comprises integrating the
readable data from the simulated seed with other digital systems
for a variety of purposes ranging from simply immediate and fast
seed- or plant-specific identification or information purposes, to
record-keeping or making decisions about operations on the seed or
plants during a growing season or for future production purposes.
This can include integration into any number of precision farming
or agricultural digital systems.
A further aspect of the invention is to utilize a
statistically-designed proportion of simulated seeds versus actual
seeds in a planting application and then using appropriate readers
to help map the planted field. This can allow not only row-by-row,
but in some cases, close to plant-by-plant specific readable
information, even after the seed is planted in the field and plants
from the seed are growing. Specific seed or plant information for
locations throughout a field can be used for a variety of
beneficial reasons. Such information can be utilized with other
mapping data to help agricultural producers manage that year's crop
in that field as well as future decisions about the type of seed or
crop for that field.
Further aspects of the invention include methods of identifying,
quickly and accurately, seed or plant hybrid or variety or other
information. Contactless machine-readable data acquisition can be
utilized in managing a given year's production or future years.
RFID technology is one form of contactless machine-readable data
acquisition that can be utilized.
Another aspect of the invention comprises utilizing simulated
seeds, as above-described, in agricultural production with one or
more readers placed at designed positions that can vary. Automatic
reading of seed-specific data at one or more stages or locations
relative to the seed can be available throughout the production
cycle, including after the actual seeds are planted in the field
because of their proximity to the readable simulated seed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a mixture of co-mingled actual and
simulated seeds carrying contactless machine-readable data relative
to different stages of agricultural production, namely from bagging
or packaging, to during planting, to after planting including
growing plants from the actual seeds in the field, including
illustrating how an appropriate contactless reader can read the
data of the simulated seeds at any of those stages. FIG. 1
furthermore shows in dashed lines the ability to operatively
communicate, connect, or otherwise integrate the read data with
other systems, including but not limited to a precision farming
system for further use.
FIG. 2A shows diagrammatically several different forms of packaging
of co-mingled simulated seeds and actual seeds (e.g. seed bag or
seed box) and illustrating with symbols actual seeds (blank) with
co-mingled simulated seeds (X's in middle).
FIG. 2B is a greatly enlarged scale diagrammatic view of a single
simulated seed comprising an RFID tag encapsulated in a body having
a form factor that simulates the actual seed, in this example a
corn seed.
FIG. 2C is a diagrammatic view of examples of the type of RFID data
that could be programmed into a simulated seed and available for
reading.
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of simulated seed and actual seed at
a corn planter row unit, illustrating optional alternative
positions for RFID readers.
FIG. 4 is a highly reduced-in-scale diagram of a planted field
illustrating one example of possible population of rows with actual
versus simulated seeds.
FIG. 5A is a highly diagrammatic reduced-in-scale depiction of a
tractor that could include a precision agricultural system with a
multi-row planter implement that plants co-mingled simulated and
actual seed, and includes at least one reader of those simulated
seeds at the planter.
FIG. 5B is similar to FIG. 5A but shows, in a later pass after
planting, a sprayer including a precision agricultural system and
on-board reader(s) for the simulated seed that have been planted in
the field.
FIG. 5C is similar to FIG. 5B but shows, alternatively, a human
with a handheld reader could scan areas of the field within its
range and read information of planted simulated seed for purposes
such as verifying hybrid or variety type that has been planted, and
using such information for advice for that planting season or
future planting seasons, or for other purposes.
FIG. 5D illustrates diagrammatically the field of FIG. 5C with a
drone with an on-board reader that could be used to scan part of or
an entire field and read the information from simulated seed
planted in that field.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustration of integration of a reader
for the simulated seed with RFID tags with a precision farming
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
A. Overview
For better understanding of the invention, several examples of
specific implementations of the invention will now be described in
detail. It is to be understood these are neither exclusive nor
inclusive of all forms or embodiments the invention can take.
Variations obvious to those skilled in the art will be included
within the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
Most of the context of the following descriptions will be with
regard to planting a field with corn as the agricultural crop. It
is to be understood the invention can be applied in analogous ways
to other seeds.
Frequent reference will be made to the drawings, which are
summarized above. Reference numerals or letters will be used to
indicate certain parts and locations in the drawings. The same
reference numbers or letters will be used to indicate the same or
similar parts or locations throughout the drawings unless otherwise
indicated.
B. Overall System General Description
With reference primarily to FIG. 1, an overall system according to
one embodiment of the invention is illustrated.
Overall system 10 in this embodiment includes: a. A pre-determined
mixture of co-mingled actual seeds and simulated seeds
(collectively designated by reference numeral 12). Typically the
mixture of seed 12 is pre-packaged in a container or packaging 14
by a seed production company. In this example, the actual seed are
one type of corn variety or hybrid. The simulated seed are objects
of similar form factor to corn seed and carrying an RFID tag on
which is stored the machine-readable data. b. A data reader 20
compatible with the RFID tags and data of the simulated seed.
Reader 20 can be used alone to read the simulated seed data from
within operative range of the reader and tags. It optionally can be
configured to communicate with other devices, as will be discussed
below. It is typical, at least with RFID readers that they can both
read and write data relative the machine-readable device (e.g. RFID
chip or tag). Whenever the term "reader" is used herein it will be
understood to include at least the read function and could include
read and write functionality.
The co-mingled set of seed 12 includes a quantity of actual seed 16
and a quantity of simulated seed 18. In FIG. 1, as well as other
figures, for diagrammatic purposes only actual seed 16 are
distinguished by the "X" symbol on each individual simulated seed
18. Furthermore, for clarity, the size of actual seed 16 or
simulate seed 18 versus package 14 is not to scale, nor is the
typical number of either actual seed 16 or simulated seed 18 per
container 14. As is well-known in the art, typical corn seed bags
contain on the order of 80,000 kernels.
Each simulated seed 18 carries machine-readable data. In this
embodiment this comprises an RFID tag. Other types of contactless
machine-readable automatic identification and data capture (AIDC)
techniques are possible.
In this embodiment, plural RFID-tagged simulated seed are in each
pre-packaged quantity 12. However, the number can vary including
from just one to any ratio. However, generally, it will be more
than one simulated seed 18 per mixture 12, but substantial minority
of the overall number of actual seeds 16.
System 10 includes utilization of a reader 12. While the invention
is not limited necessarily to this technique, in this embodiment
reader 20 is an RFID reader such as is known in the art and
commercially available. Discussion of examples and operation of
such readers can be found at U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,162,328 and
8,810,406, referenced above. Simulated seed 18 have form factors
that mimic the actual seed 16 but include an RFID tag.
RFID readers come in a variety of sizes and capabilities. Some are
of relatively small size (e.g. less than 1 ft.sup.2). Since they
rely on wireless radio energy for communication to RFID tags, they
can be packaged in robust and even ruggedized fashion appropriate
for operating in a variety of conditions (e.g. outdoors environment
temperature extremes, precipitation, dirt/debris/dust, etc.) and
survive typical forces (e.g. vibration, noise, etc.). Therefore,
reader 20 can be configured for operational mounting in a
wide-variety of positions relative to seed packages 14 or where
mixture 12 ends up, or on different agricultural equipment or other
vehicles.
In this manner, system 10 would allow a contactless machine-reading
of simulated seed in a mixture 12 at any of various stages of
agricultural production. By using RFID chips in simulated seed form
factors, reading can be from stand-off distances from adjacent to,
centimeters away, and even (under the right conditions and
components) a meter or meters away. Furthermore, since RFID reading
does not require line-of-sight or contact (both reader and
transponded signal from RFID tag are basically broadcast
omni-directionally), in-range reading can occur without precise
aiming or positioning as well as through barriers such as
packaging, equipment, and soil.
Below is further discussion of components of system 10.
1. In Seed Package or Container
As indicated in FIG. 1, the contents of seed bag 14 could be
scanned with reader 20 wherever bag 14 might be, if within range of
reader 20. This could be at a seed production company location. It
could be at a seed sales storage location. It could be at a
farmer's farm, either in storage, in transport to a field, or when
waiting at the field for use in planting.
Simulated seeds 18 in each bag 14 could be preprogrammed with at
least an identification of variety or hybrid type for the actual
seeds in bag 14. Thus, the operator of reader 20 would be able to
automatically, nondestructively, and in a contactless manner
accurately poll or interrogate any package 14 for fast, accurate
variety or hybrid identification, even without reference to any
labeling or indicia on the packaging.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, this could allow automatic verification
of the contents of the packaging 14 at a storage location, when
transporting package 14 to a planning location, and at the time of
emptying the contents of package 14 into a planter. It would be
quick and accurate, with minimum expenditure of time.
2. At a Planter
FIG. 1 also shows the system 10 could include use during transfer
of the co-mingled seed 12 into an agricultural implement. One
implement is a planter 30. Reader 20, by appropriate positioning,
could read data from the simulated seed in bag 14 prior to being
added to the planter. This allows automatic verification and
recording of seed type, including when type is changed in the same
field or planting session.
But further, as indicated in FIG. 1, because the readable data is
carried on individual simulated seed within bag 14, the data can be
read even after contents 12 of bag 14 is poured out of bag 14 into
planter 30. Because machine-readable simulated seed 18 is
co-mingled with actual seed 16, interrogating the planter with
reader 20 allows the assumption that the read data applies to the
actual seed in proximity to the simulated seed now in the planter.
One advantage of system 10 is that the reading can be done when the
mixture 12 is static (e.g. sitting in a seed hopper on the planter)
as well as when the mixture, or a portion of it, is moving in the
planter (e.g. pulled from the hopper to a seed meter, working
through the seed meter, or travelling down the seed tube for
deposit in the furrow in the field). The co-mingling allows the
assumption that the actual seed in proximity with a simulated seed
relate to the data carried on the simulated seed.
3. After Planting
FIG. 1 also shows an important feature. System 10 can also be used
to interrogate a planted field. Because simulated seeds 18 in this
embodiment mimic actual seeds 16, planter 30 will process them like
actual seed. Simulated seed 18 will move from bulk on-board storage
(e.g. in a seed hopper or in a seed box), be singulated (e.g. by a
seed meter), and then sent to the furrow in whatever serial order
they happen to be relative actual seed 16. While, once planted,
each simulated seed 18 therefore occupies what would otherwise be
an actual seed location in the ground (and as a result no plant
will emerge for those locations), this places simulated seed 18 in
proximity to actual seed 16 from the mixture 12 in field 40. A
reader scanning any part of field 40 will allow the assumption that
actual seed, at least in close proximity to the simulated seed
which has been read, correlates to the data read from such
simulated seed.
Thus, the contactless use of reader 20 allows quick, essentially
real-time, accurate identification of what is planted in the field
by correlation with the data carried on the simulated seeds 18 that
would also be planted in proximity to the other plant locations in
the field.
As will be understood, the ratio of simulated seed 18 to actual
seed 16 in a mixture 12 will substantially control the degree of
resolution of seed-specific data once planted. For example, if the
ratio was essentially 1:1, statistically (with perhaps some
intentional steps to promote good distribution of simulated seed 18
through bag 14), almost seed-by-seed resolution would be possible
because every other actual seed would, on average, have a simulated
seed adjacent to it. However, as will be appreciated, this could
add significant cost to each mixture 12 and substantially reduce
yield for a field if every other possible plant location is instead
occupied by a simulated seed from which there is no chance of a
plant emerging.
Therefore, as discussed further below, the designer likely would
use a smaller ratio of simulated to actual seed. Although one
simulated seed per bag 14 is possible, this would greatly reduce
resolution. It could also make it more difficult to sense or read
the in-ground simulated seeds across a field. It would also make
more difficult assumptions when scanning a field that certain
actual seeds (or plants from those actual seeds) correlate to a
certain bag 14 of seed. The proximity of some of the actual seed
from one bag to a single simulated seed could be many meters away
and even in a different row. This also would present issues when
seed mixtures 12 are changed in the same field.
Thus, the designer would balance different factors (e.g. cost of
RFIDs and simulated seed, reduction in yield, etc. versus benefits
of higher information resolution) when setting a ratio.
FIG. 1 shows another important and somewhat subtle advantage of the
present embodiment. By allowing simulated machine-readable seed to
be planted like actual seed, once plants from actual seed 16 are
growing (see reference numeral 17), a reader 20 can still be used
to scan the field and obtain information about those plants. Their
proximity to the in-ground, planted simulated seed 18 (which of
course would not produce a plant) allows extrapolation that plants
17 in proximity to a read simulated seed 18 can be correlated to
the data (e.g. the hybrid or variety) identified by reading this
simulated seed 18. Some advantages of RFID as the mode of AIDC are:
(a) the RFID tags of the simulated seed do not have to be visible
and typically can have barriers between them and the reader (e.g.
the bag wall, planter component walls, and soil); (b) reading
typically does not have to be line-of-sight, (c) broadcast signals
do not require precise directional aiming, and (d) passive RFID
tags do not need their own power source. Furthermore, many types of
RFID tags can be very robust and ruggedized relative to sometimes
harsh conditions of temperature, moisture, vibration, noise, dirt,
etc. involved with agricultural production.
It can therefore be appreciated that system 10 allows high
flexibility and beneficial collection of at least seed or plant
hybrid or variety identification throughout an agricultural
production cycle. Because it is easy to write to RFID chips, other
seed specific information can be easily added by techniques
well-known in the RFID art either prior to bagging the seed or at
any stage described above. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,162,328 and
8,373,563, referenced above.
4. Optional System Features
FIG. 1 further shows optional features of the embodiment. Reader 20
can have a variety of internal or related operational circuitry and
functions 21. This could include storing read data to an on-board
database 26. Alternatively that data could be communicated
wirelessly to remote device or storage location.
Commercially-available RF readers typically have such capabilities.
See, e.g., model ALH-9011 RFID reader from Alien Technology
Corporation, San Jose, Calif. (USA). Details can be found at
http://www.atlasrfidstore.com/alien-alh-9011-handlheld-rfid-reader/.
Because of form factor size limits for simulated seed, it is likely
that the RFID tag would be a passive tag.
Optionally reader 20 could include the functionality of read and
write (reference number 27). As is well-known in the RFID art, this
can be accomplished by reader 20. As will be described further,
this could allow a user to not only read pre-programmed information
from the simulated seed, but also add or change information carried
on the simulated seed. Such read/write technology is known in the
RFID art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,373,563, incorporated
by reference herein. This patent relates to electronic tags (one
example being RFID tags) attached to single growing plants and
having the ability to read data about the plant or write to that
tag, as desired.
FIG. 1 also illustrates the system 10 can communicate the reader 20
with a precision farming system 28. Such systems are known in the
art and are available from a variety of manufacturers including the
assignee of this application. An example is U.S. Pat. No. 9,043,096
to inventors Zielke et al. and assigned to Ag Leader Technology of
Ames, Iowa (USA). Those systems can include programmable processors
that can communicate with (to and from) a variety of different
components and store and process data useful for agricultural
production.
Therefore, at a general level, system 10 utilizes simulated seeds
mimicking the form factor of actual seeds. The simulated seeds are
co-mingled with the actual seed. Therefore, they can be processed
like actual seed and, as such, their proximity to the actual seeds
throughout an agricultural production cycle (e.g. from original
packaging to planting to growing the plants in the field), can be
available for automatic, fast, accurate interrogation
nondestructively and in a contactless manner for a variety of
purposes.
C. Simulated Seed
By reference to FIGS. 2A-C, further details regarding one
embodiment of simulated seed 18 are illustrated.
At least with reference to corn seed, a variety of packages are
usually utilized by the seed producer and the commercial
transaction between seed producer to end-user farmer. One example
is a seed bag 14. A consistent predetermined quantity of actual
seed kernels per bag is typical in such transactions.
In this embodiment, the pure actual seed of a bag would be replaced
with a ratio of simulated seed 18 to actual seat 16. This is
illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 2A. This would be worked out
with the seed production company prior to packaging. Techniques for
adding simulated seed 18 in the desired ratio to actual seed can
vary. In one example, the bag could be filled with actual seed 16
and then a quantity of simulated seed 18 to meet the desired ratio
added without any mixing. It would be likely that during pouring of
mixture 12 into a planter and/or metering the seed that a more
random distribution of simulated seed would occur.
Alternatively, some stirring or shaking of bag 14 might promote
more random distribution throughout bag 14. Or essentially metering
of simulated seed during filling bag 14 could be used. A technique
similar to the metering of simulated seed into flowing grain in a
harvester, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,810,406 is one
example.
Alternative packaging is possible. One example is a seed box 14',
such as is known in the art. It also could contain a quantity of a
predesigned ratio of actual seed 16 the simulated seed 18.
Other packages or delivery modes are possible. For example, seed
can be delivered in bulk. It is possible to do so with a
pre-designed ratioed, co-mingled set 12 of actual and simulated
seed 16/18.
FIG. 2A, and the enlargements therein, is intended to convey that
the simulated seeds 18 are packaged in a form factor 50 (FIG. 2B)
that mimics or at least approximates the form factor of the actual
seed 16 at issue. By any of a number of materials and processing
techniques, the basic form factor of actual corn seeds 16 can be
mimicked. For example, exterior form factor (length, width, and
depth L/W/D) and even peripheral curvatures or overall shape (corn
tends to have a trapezoidal or wedge shape) can be made to mimic
the somewhat asymmetrical or non-regular exterior shape of a corn
seed.
For example, housing 54 of each simulated seed 18 could be made of
plastic, glass, or other formable materials that could not that not
only include the simulated form factor but also such things as
weight, texture, coefficient of friction, and the like. The
designer can select which characteristics are needed. All of the
foregoing may not necessarily be needed to operate adequately at or
through a planter. Further discussion of such seed simulation can
be found at commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,810,406 to Ag Leader
Technology, Inc., which is incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FIG. 2B diagrammatically illustrates that housing 50, in this
embodiment, would encapsulate an RFID tag that would include an
integrated circuit (IC 52) and antenna 54. Such RFID tags can be
miniaturized and fit within a form factor simulating a corn seed.
Examples include a variety of different types available
commercially from vendors such as HID Global company of Austin,
Tex. (USA) (see
http://www.hidglobal.com/products/rfid-tags/identification-technologies
for information on a variety of RFID tag characteristics including
miniature, embeddable passive tags). They include RFID tags as
small as on the order of a few millimeters or less length, width,
thickness and which are compliant with well-known standards such as
ISO standards. Data capacity for such tags can be several tens of
bits to hundreds if not more (e.g. some are reported to have 3K
digital storage). Therefore, a substantial amount of data can be
stored or written to such RFID tags. Alternatively, some RFID tags
simply carry and transpond a serial number or other identifier
alone or that is essentially a key to access an off-chip database
(e.g. over the internet or in the cloud) that could contain much
more information.
The designer would select a specific RFID tag based on need or
desire. Design factors could include such things as: (a) how far
away the reader could accurately and reliably consistently read a
simulated seed, including through barriers such as packaging,
equipment, or planting depth in soil; (b) cost, (c) robustness, (d)
ability to fit the desired form factor, (e) flows through a typical
planter easily.
The literature reports passive RFID chips on the order of hundreds
of millimeter length and width and such miniaturization is
proceeding. The literature also reports passive RFID chips that
have a readable range of about 10 m.sup.2 (implying about three
feet in any direction from the RFID tag). This may be sufficient
for most, if not all, stages of crop production described in this
example. It is known in the art that some stronger readers may be
needed when trying to read tags that are located beneath the soil
especially in wet conditions.
As is well-known, RFID tags can be passive, semi-active, or active
and can be read-only or read and write. The designer would balance
factors such as what features are needed for a particular
application, cost, and it readability distance. Some types may not
fit within the form factor needed for simulated seeds.
FIG. 2C illustrates diagrammatically examples of the type of data
that could be preprogrammed into RFID tagged simulated seed 18. It
could contain one or more of the data 58 shown in FIG. 1C. Examples
include but are not necessarily limited to: a. RFID tag number; b.
manufacturer name; c. hybrid/variety name; d. lot number; e.
seeds/lb.; f. herbicide, pesticide, insecticide, or other crop
usage restrictions; g. GDU (Growing Degree Units or other agronomy
metrics, such as are well-known in the art); h. maturity; i.
herbicide traits of the seed; j. insecticide traits of the seed; k.
disease levels; l. refuse levels (including but not limited to
plant and weed stems); m. date/time planted; n. other seed-specific
details.
Of course, any one are more these types of data could be
preprogrammed. At least in one aspect of the invention, at least
hybrid or variety identifier would be utilized.
As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the co-mingled set of seed 12 can be
pre-designed to have a specific ratio of simulated seed 18 to
actual seed 16. With respect to seed corn, the following is are a
couple of potential design choices.
The question of how many RFID tags the size of seeds to place in a
bag of seed corn depends on what resolution of accuracy the
farmer/information provider would want. Items in italics indicate
how many tags would be needed to detect a variety change per bag of
seed in relation to cost. Both scenarios show yield cost is not
significant to the farmer and provides an idea of using 30 to 125
tags per bag of seed corn. The cost of the RFID tags will need to
be considered on how many are used per bag. It may be that only a
few RFID tags are used per bag. It all depends on the accuracy that
needs to be achieved. This chart was made to be a guide to help
understand the practical cost and implementation.
TABLE-US-00001 Possible planting scenario option A 80,000 kernels
in a bag of seed corn 32,000 Plant population 2.5 ac per bag 209
inches per 1/1000th of an ac 8.36 inches per seed 0.0125 tags per
1/1000th of an acre 1 tag per every 1400 feet 12.5 tags per acre
31.25 tags per bag 5 bushel loss per tag in 1/100th of an acre
0.0625 bushel loss per acre 4 Price of corn $0.25 Cost per acre in
yield loss. Possible planting scenario option B 80,000 kernels in a
bag of seed corn 32,000 Plant population 2.5 ac per bag 209 inches
per 1/1000th of an ac 8.36 inches per seed 0.05 tags per 1/1000th
of an acre 1 tag per every 350 feet 50 tags per acre 125 tags per
bag 5 bushel loss per tag in 1/100th of an acre 0.25 bushel loss
per acre 4 Price of corn $1.00 Cost per acre in yield loss.
As will be appreciated, such ratios are not necessarily required.
One simulated seed 18 per package 14 may be sufficient for some
purposes. However, if higher resolution inground and planted is
desired, ratios in the general range described above are seen as a
reasonable balancing of competing factors regarding cost and yield
reduction.
The designer could work with either the seed production companies
or the end producers for this ratio.
D. RFID Reader
A variety of commercially available readers exist. One example has
been previously mentioned. Others are, of course, possible.
As will be appreciated, the reader must be compatible or
configurable to read whatever RFID tag is selected for simulated
seed 18. As indicated above, a variety of standards have been
established both in the United States and elsewhere that allow
understanding of compatibility on this point.
As will be further appreciated, the readers can vary in size and
complexity. This can include the ability to just read an RFID tag
versus read and write and other functionalities. This could include
ability to have onboard processing and storage. It also could
include ability for input from and output to other devices.
For example, some have an output that is compatible with other
devices including other processors. Thus, reader 20 could
communicate with a processor of a precision farming system. An
example would be an output protocol or format like ISO 18000 or
EPCglobal UHF class 1 Gen 2.
Others could have outputs or even two-way communication with remote
devices like remote computers, clouds-based servers, or remote
databases.
Furthermore, the designer could select a reader that has size,
function, and robustness needed for placement and use in
agricultural conditions ranging from seed storage locations to
onboard exposed field-use equipment such as planters, sprayers, and
harvesters. Handheld portable units, vehicle mounted (land and
aerial) or other are also possible.
Robustness of RFID tags is possible for all of these purposes,
including inground exposure to a wide variety of temperatures and
moisture. Readers can be ruggedized and robust for these different
uses.
E. System Operation
An example of operation of co-mingled seed 12 relative to
field-based corn production is as follows.
As indicated in FIG. 2A, a seed production company can pre-package
sets 12 of co-mingled actual and simulated seed 16/18 in a
predetermined ratio in a package 14 or 14' (or other). An RFID
reader 20 within operating range could read, in a contactless
manner, the RFID data from simulated seed 18 in any such package
(such as at a storage location or on a transport vehicle).
Simulated seed 18 can be preprogrammed to include at least one or
more of the data 58 in FIG. 2C. More or different data is possible.
See, e.g., other lists herein.
As indicated at FIG. 3, package 14 or 14' can be transported to a
corn planter out at field 40 (see, e.g., planter 30 at field 40).
Once container 14 is either at planter 30 or its contents poured
into a seed hopper or holding space on planter 30, the reader 20
could confirm and record data from the simulated seeds 18.
FIG. 3 illustrates that an RFID reader could also or alternatively
be placed in a variety of different locations on or at planter 30
(see, e.g., examples at ref nos. 20A-E in FIG. 3). Examples are at
the onboard seed box 14' or seed hopper location; at the conveyance
passage 32 between the bulk seed and seed meter 33; at seed meter
33, or perhaps along seed tube 34. Another (20E) is right when
planted in the ground; reader 20E is carried on planter 30 at a
location near where the seeds are deposited in the furrow. Other
locations are possible.
Additionally, a reader and/or writer could be mounted at or
integrated (as much as possible) with other devices. One example is
a seed population sensor such as can be on a planter (e.g. at or
near the seed tube) and which communicates seed spacing to, e.g., a
precision ag system. Since it is already on the planter, the
designer could add an RFID reader and/or writer and possibly share
a housing, wiring harness, wireless transceiver, etc. Other such
integrations with other meters, sensors, monitors, or on-board
equipment are possible.
As indicated, planter 30 has ground working tools 35 that create an
inground furrow 36 for each row at field 40. Seed tube 34 would
serially convey singulated actual/simulated seed 16/18 from seed
meter 33 as planter 30 is moving in the field to serially deposit
them in a manner diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 4. As
described above, statistically co-mingling of 16 and 18 would
normally result in simulated seed 18 distributed roughly in the
ratio to actual seed 16 along each row. The higher the ratio of 18
to 16 the more resolution and certainty of actual seeds being
linked into simulated seeds 18.
Importantly, FIG. 3 illustrates how during planting, including
switchover or reloading of planter 30 with new seed, could allow
automatic and real-time sensing of the RFID information about the
mixture 12 so that the farmer and/or a precision ag system is
accurately and continuously informed and updated on the data
carried on simulated seeds 18. This relieves the farmer from having
to manually enter that information at each planter reloading or
switch over of seed.
RFID tag technology allows a unique identifier for each tag. This
could allow, if desired, each individual simulated seed 18 to have
unique data. This could allow resolution of data about close
proximity actual seeds 16 around each simulated seed. For example,
this could allow resolution of unique information relative to field
position down to sections of each row. Thus, spatially
distinguishable data to that resolution could be used
advantageously in such things as field mapping and precision
farming.
On the other hand, it may be sufficient to simply automatically
read the data from the simulated seeds during planting and confirm
for the farmer or precision ag system what variety or hybrid is
being planted. In that case, it may not be necessary to have very
many simulated seeds 18 in each bag or container 14.
The other subtlety is that, once planted (see FIG. 4), a reader 20
can confirm the contents of the simulated seeds 18 even covered in
the ground. An appropriate RFID tag and reader will have sufficient
range to do so. As further indicated in FIG. 1, this remains true
across the entire growing season. The simulated seeds 18 stay in
the ground in their position as the seeds emerge and grow into
plants.
Thus, from at the planter 30 during planting to harvesting of those
plants, and even beyond (for as long as the RFID tags remain
operable in the ground), those inground simulated seeds 18 can be
read.
Is to be understood that because each RFID tag can have a unique
identification, and/or RFID tags could be both readable and
writable, the processing of the reader and/or precision ag system,
for example, could distinguish between simulated seeds 18 planted
and still inground in a prior growing season from those inserted
into the ground in a present or future growing season. One example
is simply at the time of planting writing to the RFID tags in the
simulated seeds the date of planting. A reader or precision ag
controller could filter out or ignore data from simulated seeds
planted in a prior year from those in a present or future year even
if they were basically in the same location in the field. Another
example would be to use (if available) the unique serial numbers of
RFID tags to distinguish between them, even if closely spaced.
FIGS. 5A-C illustrate examples of subsequent beneficial use of
system 10 after planting.
FIG. 5A shows use of system 10 in a first pass through field 40.
Planter 30 receives and plants co-mingled seed 12. Tractor or
motive force 60 pulls planter implement 30. At least one reader 20
can be carried onboard to identify and/or record or store
information read from or written to the simulated seeds 18 in the
planting phase.
FIG. 5B shows a second or subsequent pass through field 40. For
example, later in time after planting, motive force 62 with a
sprayer system 63 could include a reader (one or more) 20. A
precision farming system 28 carried on board sprayer 62 or
otherwise could receive data from the reader about the inground
planted simulated seed 18 and confirm that a certain spray is
appropriate for either the hybrid or variety type of actual planted
seed 16 and/or for that location in the field (or for growing
conditions or other seed specific factors).
FIG. 5C shows, in the alternative, that an agronomist or trusted
advisor 64 could take a handheld scanner 20, or perhaps carried in
vehicle 65, and go to field 40 and verify the variety or hybrid
type, or otherwise gather data stored on simulated seed 18 for
purposes of advice for that growing season or future growing
seasons. With appropriate equipment, advisor 64 could also write to
the inground simulated seeds 18.
FIG. 5D illustrates diagrammatically that a reader 20 could be
placed on an aerial machine such as UAV drone 66 which could be
manipulated relative to field 40. The designer would have to match
appropriate RFID tags and readers with operational parameters of
the drone to ensure, e.g., the drone could obtain accurate and
reliable readings (e.g. from an acceptable range by drones at
appropriate heights off ground level).
As can be appreciated, FIGS. 5A-D illustrate that not only can
fast, real-time data reading from simulated seeds 18 can be
correlated to actual seed 16, or merged with other data regarding
agricultural production. For example, mapping of fields with
resolution down to at or around each inground simulated seed 18 is
possible. Examples of such mapping are described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,141,614 to inventors Janzen et al. and owned by Caterpillar Inc.,
Peoria, Ill. (USA), incorporated by reference herein.
F. Precision Farming System
FIG. 6 shows diagrammatically the interface of an RFID reader 20
configured to read and write to RFID-based simulated seeds 18 with
a precision farming or ag system 28. Such systems are well-known
and commercially available from a number of commercial vendors.
These types of systems typically include a processor/controller 100
having memory 101, a user display 102, a human machine interface
104 (for data entry between operator and system 28). It can also
include outputs to a variety of actuators 110A, 110B, etc. Those
actuators could include automated vehicle steering, field mapping,
vehicle speed, planting seed spacing, application rates or mixes,
etc. A variety of inputs to the system can include geo-position as
with GPS readings, other sensors such as temperature, soil
moisture, etc. This allows a high degree of flexibility in
utilization of seed specific data from system 10 readable from
simulated seeds 18, both prior to planting and after planting.
It can therefore be seen that embodiments of the invention allow
placing RFID or other contactless machine-readable tags or devices
the size of seeds into packages such as seed bags or Pro-boxes so
that when planting the crop it can detect which seed variety/brand
is being planted. Embodiments may also include adding information
to the machine-readable object or RFID tag. Examples of additional
information can include but is not limited to: a. planting date, b.
encryption so only certain people can read the tag, c. what
equipment planted it.
Other ag machinery/equipment can also read the tags including but
not limited to sprayers, combines, drones, and trusted
advisors.
It is to be particularly noted that the system can be configured to
transfer data to the RFID tag during any field operation. With RFID
this would involve the reader having read and write capabilities
within range of the simulated seed to be written to. A non-limiting
example is during planting operation. Information such as listed
above could be added to the tag almost in real-time of events
happening (e.g. planting date/time per simulated seed 18, what
equipment planted it, geospatial particulars, environmental
details, etc.). Non-limiting examples of other types of data that
could be written to the RFID tags are mentioned elsewhere
herein.
In the example of FIG. 5B, a third-party (or the farmer) spraying
the farmer's field could include on the sprayer combination a
system that detects what seed was planted to know what seed
specific restrictions there may be (e.g. what herbicides are
appropriate). Custom spraying applicators will spray customer
fields and can occasionally spray the wrong herbicide in the field
that does not have the corresponding herbicide resistance and
therefore kill the entire field. Therefore, being able to confirm
seed specific usage restrictions before spraying and deter such can
be of great benefit.
Seed company representatives (including agronomists, sales people,
etc.) can verify what seed was planted in the field to help
diagnose issues. Seed company representatives rely on the farmer to
tell them what hybrid was planted in which fields. Utilizing a
reader 20 could help double-check and confirm seed-specific
attributes to deter any such errors. Seed companies may also find
this valuable in seeding research plots with seed varieties the
change frequently.
Combine detection of what variety is being harvested based off of
the RFID tags could also be advantageously used. For example, it
can document what hybrid or varieties are being harvested by
reading the inground simulated seeds as the equipment moves through
the field. It could also be helpful for maintaining and
distinguishing between such things as GMO versus non-GMO crops.
Furthermore, with yield monitors, it could provide real time
correlation between certain hybrids/varieties and yield for a given
field and/or growing season. This could also assist in future
planning of what hybrids/varieties to plan for future growing
seasons.
G. Alternatives and Options
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
invention can take a variety of forms and embodiments. Some
non-limiting examples follow.
As indicated, simulation of seed size and form factor, and other
characteristics, can be followed for different seeds types. Corn
and soybeans are significant typical Midwest crops. The invention
should can be applied in analogous ways to others seeds.
The materials for the simulated seeds 18 can vary. One potential
optional feature could be a biodegradable simulated seed. Examples
are discussed at Duroc, Y. and Kaddour, D., RFID Potential Impacts
and Future Evolution for Green Products, Energy Procedia 18 (2012)
91-98. See also Davenport, C. J., Al-Azzawi, B., Novodorsky, P, and
Rigelsford, J. M., Biodegradable Passive RFID Tag for Subcutaneous
Implant, Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium Abstracts,
Guangzhou, China, Aug. 25-27, 2014, page 1657. All of these are
incorporated by reference herein.
Encryption of the data on simulated seeds 18 is possible. See, for
example, U.S. Patent publication US 2005/0103840 to inventor Boles
entitled "Anti-fraud Apparatus and Method for Protecting
Valuables", incorporated by reference herein. This can alleviate
concerns that non-authorized persons could surreptitiously read the
simulated seeds and data associated with them. Such encryption
could be applied originally as the seed is being planted. Access
could be given to authorized users by the farmer by providing a
password or encryption key. It could also be applied at any stage
of processing, including but not limited to at planting, with a
read-write system.
Encryption of an RFID tag could benefit the farmer so the farmer
has the ability to be the only person who can read the tags without
giving permission to others care. The farmer could have the ability
to give encryption code others for their reading on a
field-by-field basis. Encryption can be applied to the RFID tags
when seed is being planted by using an RFID reader/writer.
Another example would be other types of data that could be written
to the simulated seeds and/or correlated to them. Examples include
but are not limited to: a. field identifier; b. planting date/time
c. planting equipment identifier; d. ground speed; e. climate
conditions; f. GPS position and row number (take into account
ground speed and GPS to row unit placement offsets); g. other
operational values like fertilizer/application rates.
Design of mounting location for an RFID reader/writer can vary.
Non-limiting examples relative a planter are: a. to a seed tube or
seed-carrying device; b. between the seed meter and the ground on a
planter row unit; c. to a seed meter on a planter row unit; d. to a
bulk seed deliver hose of a planter/seeder; e. to the bottom of a
seed hopper of a planter/seeder; f. to the bottom of bulk seed tank
of a planter/seeder; g. at or near where seed is deposited in the
ground; h. to a corn head, sprayer, or other type of agriculture
machinery.
Reading and writing to RFID tags at the same time the system is
planting or seeding is possible (as is the case also for other
stages of the production cycle). One purpose of programming the tag
with date/time it was planted allows the tag to be read in the
future and the system will know when the tag was planted thus
knowing what crop season it belongs to.
Monitors that map seed characteristics (e.g. population,
singulation, down force, spacing errors, etc.) could use the system
to read and record RFID tags so differing characteristics are
mapped spatially correct with one display/system. The system can
map GPS location, RFID number, hybrid/variety name, lot number,
seeds/lb., crop usage restrictions, and other seed-specific details
spatially. This can be important so that the user can reference
these at another point in time. This information can also be
exported from the precision ag system or display for other systems
to read and interpret. Information could also be exported to the
cloud for documentation and record keeping by the farmer or other
authorized parties.
Instead of integration into a precision ag system, data from the
reader could be integrated simply with a non-monitor (other digital
device) that only logs the RFID's when they are sensed. It could
optionally add a GPS input. This would be useful for farmers who do
not utilize a high end precision ag display or system. Examples of
other devices or locations to communicate reader information
include but are not limited other digital devices (e.g. tablet
computers, smart phones, and the like); local storage (RAM, ROM,
solid state, etc.), cloud storage, etc.
Another example of an option or alternative is as follows. By
appropriate programming, the system can automatically make and
document certain assumptions. Take for example when a planter is
planting and a tag is detected, the system can change the data that
was previously logged to represent new information (e.g. new hybrid
or variety) that was detected. If a farmer fills a planter with
seed and starts planting, the planter might plant for a few minutes
before the first tag is detected. At that time, there would be gap
in the record as to seed-specific information (e.g. hybrid or
variety type). However, the system should know or sense that the
planter had been stopped (at the time and place of filling). By
appropriate programming, the system could be instructed to assume
that at that stop a seed refill occurred and back log the
appropriate information about the refilled seed correctly. In
effect, the system could back log that gap in the record based on
that assumption to give a more complete logging of the field. Other
assumptions or pre-programming are possible. Alternatively to using
a pre-defined stop time to make the assumption and apply the
back-logging, recognizing or sensing such things as weight of a
seed hopper or central seed delivery system has increased could be
used as the trigger for the back logging. Using this automatically
sensed parameter, recognizing weight increase as opposed to time
planter stopped, and using the point of time the first tag after
that sensed parameter is detected, allows automatic back processing
of logged seed/variety data (or other data). This feature could be
made possible in many precision ag systems which sense or otherwise
know such things as when the equipment starts and stops moving, or
sense equipment parameters (including but not limited to
weight).
Another possible option or alternative is as follows. Using the
contactless reading of simulated seed planted in the ground, the
system could be configured to spatially map where the tags were
planted and spatially map any attribute or other information that
was collected when reading the tag in a field operation (including
but not limited to planting). The ability of precision ag systems
and yield monitors and the like to create field maps, including
with automatic georeferencing, is well-known. By appropriate
programming of such intelligent, programmable systems, such a
marrying or correlating of spatial and seed-specific information
(or other information) can be done. This can occur at planting or
in other operations.
* * * * *
References